USA Today offers early retirement packages

USA Today confirms what my tipsters have been telling me today: The paper is offering early retirement packages.

“An announcement was made to staff today that employees who are at least 55 years old and have 15 years of service to the company are eligible for a buyout,” USA Today spokesperson Heidi Zimmerman tells Romenesko readers. “Terms are two weeks pay for every year of service – not to exceed one year. Insurance remains in effect as long as you’re getting paid.”

One tipster says: “I’ve heard from an editor that there are 150 employees who would qualify, but that the company retains the right to deny the buyouts to some of them.”